Do you have an interest in people’s welfare? Curious about what goes on behind the scenes in Police Custody? If you’re over 18 years of age and live or work in Cumbria, then becoming an Independent Custody Visitor (ICV) might be the perfect role for you.

Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) are members of the local community who make weekly unannounced visits and observe, comment and report to the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) on the conditions under which people are detained in Police custody suites. Volunteers work in pairs and arrange around 12 unannounced visits a year to police stations, at any time of day and night.

Cumbria’s Deputy Police Fire and Crime Commissioner, Mike Johnson, said: “I encourage anyone who has an interest in justice to consider volunteering. ICVs provide the public with assurance that people in a vulnerable situation are treated with decency and dignity.

“The work that the ICVs carry out is invaluable. The custody visits are unannounced, and the volunteers complete a report which checks that the detainee’s welfare is being cared for appropriately.

“With their unbiased reports, the ICV scheme helps our Police Custodies maintain the high level of service they provide to the detainees, so public can have the highest confidence in the safety and welfare of those who are detained.

“This is an exciting opportunity and we have vacancies on our Kendal, Barrow, North and Workington panels. If anyone is interested and has some spare time in their schedule, I would highly recommend applying to become an ICV.

“More information is available on the PFCC website and I look forward to meeting the successful volunteers.”

To find out more about the role of an ICV and to apply, visit www.cumbria-pcc.gov.uk/what-we-do/custody-visiting. All applications must be in by 3 July 2023.